As I have mentioned before, I am in the midst of a prolonged effort to simplify my shooting and loading life and so far have sold a number of guns that I didn't love, couldn't justify by their utility, or couldn't see myself making time to shoot well. There are some that I will keep regardless, including some old warhorses from my Dad or my last remaining centerfire autoloader. But I am struggling with one that I just can't make a decision on, a Howa 1500 in 223 Remington. It's my only modern bolt gun and has a decent scope on it. Moving forward I intend to only shoot home cast boolits, so after I use up the box of 52gr HPBTs on my bench I will need to buy a mold, but I question whether it is worth it.
Given that I live in mountainous Appalachia and that I couldn't shoot from one end of my property to the other if my life depended on it thanks to the hills and trees, the likelihood of shots over 100 yards is pretty low (this is also limited by my ability, kudos to you folks who can shoot varmints over 100 yards offhand). I have standardized on 357mag instead, and seen to be able to push my Henry Single Shot to just under 2000fps with a 158gr COWW boolit meaning that a lighter one would be no problem, and 125gr TCBBs over Trail Boss seem to miraculously shoot to almost the same point of impact at around 80 yards. Right now the Henry wears a peep sight, but I could move the scope.
I guess what I am wondering is, what (if anything) will the 223 do with cast loads better than the 357 at those kinds of short ranges? Are there significant capabilities I might be unknowingly giving up if I simplify the 223 right out of the safe?